Game apparatus



pril 19, 1938. I w. ENGLERTH 2.1149

' GAME APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1937 I s Shee ts- Sheet 1 A ril 19, 19 38. w. ENGLERTH GAME APPARATUS s Sheeis-Sheet 2 Filed April 22, 1937 In Den tor A iiorneys I... w. ENGLER'fH GAME APPARATUS Filed April 22, 1937 Attorneys Patented Apr. 19, 1938 GAME APPARATUS Louis Englerth, Chicago, Ill.

This invention appertains to new and useful Application April 22,

4 Claims.

improvements in game apparatus and more particularly to game apparatus of the aerial projectile type.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a game apparatus in the nature of a basketball game wherein a basket and a catapult are provided with spring means for the catapult capable of adjustment to the proper tension in catapulting a projectile toward the basket;

Another important object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus simulating a basketball game involving a basket and a catapult, wherein the catapult is adjustable with regard to distance from the basket and furthermore wherein the catapult has a spring which is adjustable to compensate for distance away from the basket.

These and various other important objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the reader of the following'specification.

In the drawings 1-- Figure 1 represents a top plan view showing one form of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the form shown in Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a cross sectional view on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a second form of the invention.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of.

a modified form of basket supporting means.

Referring to the drawings wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen in Figures 1 and 2, that the game apparatus consists of the game board 5 which is provided with the upstanding side walls 6. Numeral represents the upstanding back board which is swingably connected as at 8 to one end of the base board 5. A U-shaped member 9 has its leg por tions disposed through the board and secured in place by nuts H} and to this U-shaped member 9 is pivotally secured the miniature basketball basket structure 011 the board 5 under- 1937, Serial No. 138,423

lying the basket H is the mat 42 of resilient material.

The form of the invention shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 consists in addition to the structure already described, a catapult generally referred to 5 by numeral l3. This catapult involves the elongated rectangular-shaped plate l4 having the upstanding flanges |5|5 thereon inwardly disposed as at E6 to define a guideway for the base or slider member H of the post l8. This post is preferably of strap iron and has its upper end portion inclined as at l9 in a direction away from the basket ll. On this inclined portion i9 is the guideway 2|] through which the elongated spring strip 2| is snugly disposed, yet capable of being slid through the same to obtain the proper tensional adjustment thereof. At the upper end of this strip spring 2| is a cup member 22 for holding the ball 23 which is to be pitched toward the basket H by depressing the cup and 20 tensioning the spring 2| and then suddenly releasing the cup.

To vary the distance of the catapult from the basket ll, the post H! can be slid along the guide l5 and to compensate for this adjustment in distance, the spring 2| can be adjusted in the guide 20.

Another form of the invention is shown in Figure 4 wherein the frame construction 24 is provided, the same having thereon the straight guideway 25 merging with the pair of divergent guide plates 2626 diverging away from the location of the basket if and meeting at their ends the ends of the arcuate-shaped guideway 2'! which extends transversely of the board 5. Extending from the intermediate portion of the arcuate guideway 21 is the straight guideway 28 aligned with the straight guideway 25. Thus the catapult construction generally referred to by numeral 29 and shown in Figures 5 and 6 can be adjusted longitudinally of the board 5 along the straight guideways 2528 or transversely of the board in an arcuate sweep by being disposed along the guideway 2?. Furthermore the catapult can be moved along in diverged relation with respect to the straight guideways 25-28 by being moved into the guideways 2626.

The catapult 29 is similar in construction of the catapult l3 excepting that the post |8a has a foot portion |8b which is secured to a block Ila slidable in the guideway system on the plate 24. (See also Figure 6.)

The same form of catapult 29 is employed in the form of the invention shown in Figure '7. In this form of the invention the guideway is an arcuate plate Zl'a disposed transversely of the board 5 and the arcuate longitudinally extending guideway 26a thereon receives the slide block Ila of the form of catapult shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6.

Figures 8 and 9 disclose a slightly modified form of catapult where a new guideway is provided The post 48 has a foot portion IT slotted as at 30 for receiving the bolt 3|, this bolt being disposed through an opening in the base 5 and equipped with a nut 32. Thus the post l8 can be adjusted, but with limited variations compared with the other forms of the catapult.

Another form of basket mount is shown in Figure 10 wherein the back wall la has a plate 33 secured by suitable means 34 thereto. This plate has its end portions rolled to form vertical barrels 35-35 for removably receiving the leg members of the U-shaped carrier 36 to which the basket ring Ila is secured and disposed in a horizontal position.

While the foregoing specification sets forth the invention in specific forms, it is to be understood that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having described the invention what is claimed as new is:-

1. In a game apparatus, a catapult, a stationary channeled guide, said catapult including a post having a base slidably positioned in the channels of the guide, an inclined guide on the upper end of the post and a catapult arm slidably mounted in said last named guide.

2. In a game apparatus, a catapult including a post having a base, means anchoring the base to a supporting structure and providing for the movement of the post relative to a target, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined guide on the upper end of the post and a catapult arm slidably mounted in said guide.

3. In a game apparatus, a catapult including a a post having a base, means pivotally anchoring the base to a supporting structure and providing for the movement of the post relative to a target, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined guide on the upper end of the post and a catapult arm slidably mounted in said guide.

4. In a game apparatus, a catapult including a post having a base, means pivotally and slidably anchoring the base to a supporting structure and providing for the movement of the post relative to a target, an upwardly and rearwardly inclined guide on the upper end of the post and a catapult arm slidably mounted in said guide.

LOUIS W. ENGLERTH. 

